National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum
National Railway Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
FREE ENTRY Home to iconic locomotives and an unrivalled collection of engineering brilliance, we celebrate the past, present and future of innovation on the railways. Dedicated to igniting our visitors’ curiosity about the people, places and engineering marvels behind the railways, we put our passion for amazing stories into everything we do.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
19,274 reviews
Excellent
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Very good
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Average
850
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Natalie
Melbourne, Australia82 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
Transportation:
There are trains from London King's Cross to York, with a journey time of around 2 hours. York is about 2.5 hours from Edinburgh, and many people use York as a stopover between London and Edinburgh. If you need to travel by train, I recommend purchasing a railcard on Trainpal. By entering the code RC777E, you'll get a 20% discount. Many locals in the UK don’t know about this discount, so I highly recommend it. If you don’t know how to use it, feel free to message or comment—just sharing!景点推荐
1、National Railway Museum York 大英铁路博物馆
下火车后不出站到 platform 10，会有指引标识，门票免费，可以提前在官网 national railwaymuseum 预约，1个小时左右可以逛完。
可以在等车的时候提前去看
There are trains from London King's Cross to York, with a journey time of around 2 hours. York is about 2.5 hours from Edinburgh, and many people use York as a stopover between London and Edinburgh. If you need to travel by train, I recommend purchasing a railcard on Trainpal. By entering the code RC777E, you'll get a 20% discount. Many locals in the UK don’t know about this discount, so I highly recommend it. If you don’t know how to use it, feel free to message or comment—just sharing!景点推荐
1、National Railway Museum York 大英铁路博物馆
下火车后不出站到 platform 10，会有指引标识，门票免费，可以提前在官网 national railwaymuseum 预约，1个小时左右可以逛完。
可以在等车的时候提前去看
Written 19 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa W
Norwich, UK46 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
What a fabulous afternoon out we had! This museum is free to enter but we gave a donation and still feel we more than got our money's worth! We totally underestimated how long we needed here, we spent about 2.5 hours but could have gone for the whole day and still not seen everything. Seeing the expansion plan they have in the next year or so, we're definitely coming back in 2026!
My highlight was seeing Mallard, the world's fastest steam locomotive. But there is so much else to see, and we didn't even scrape the surface.
It's a 15 min pleasant walk from York city centre. However, a horrid wet day meant that everyone was trying to catch the 'road train' back at the end of the day which led to queues of tired parents with fractious kids all complaining they couldn't get on. We managed to get on, my husband is disabled and we squeezed on to the accessible carriage at the back (sardines springs to mind but we were grateful not to have to walk back to the city centre in that awful weather). I would say out of half term would be a much more pleasant and relaxing experience if you're planning a visit without kids!!!
My highlight was seeing Mallard, the world's fastest steam locomotive. But there is so much else to see, and we didn't even scrape the surface.
It's a 15 min pleasant walk from York city centre. However, a horrid wet day meant that everyone was trying to catch the 'road train' back at the end of the day which led to queues of tired parents with fractious kids all complaining they couldn't get on. We managed to get on, my husband is disabled and we squeezed on to the accessible carriage at the back (sardines springs to mind but we were grateful not to have to walk back to the city centre in that awful weather). I would say out of half term would be a much more pleasant and relaxing experience if you're planning a visit without kids!!!
Written 1 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah A
3 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
The perfect day out for the family - lots to see and do, and eat and buy! Learn about the trains of the past, the records they broke and see the designs for trains of the future travelling at 300 mph hovering above the ground! You can purchase tickets online for a new virtual reality experience all about the Flying Scotsman. You enter a separate area, an olde worlde kings cross waiting area, then you put the vr helmets on, and in groups of four you walk onto a viewing area and you are transported back in time onto past runnings of the Flying Scotsman, the train's first run, and you are also transported onto the train itself becoming a steam particle working through the engine and out. It is expensive but totally unique and well worth it. In the museum there are 2 cafes, and 2 shops selling souvenirs books etc. Highly recommended.
Written 17 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DollyD
12 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
It's wonderful that this is a free museum! They have lots of old (and new!) trains to look at and the experience is really cute. You can even sit on a Japanese bullet train as if you are on a little journey.
However, I think it could be a little more engaging. Other than the bullet train you can't actually access any of the other vehicles and there is only limited information for the artifacts so you find yourself wondering around a bit (It's a big space) So you'll likely only spend an hour or so here.
For £7 you can also get a railroad train back to York Minster which is an adorable addition to help you get back to the city centre.
However, I think it could be a little more engaging. Other than the bullet train you can't actually access any of the other vehicles and there is only limited information for the artifacts so you find yourself wondering around a bit (It's a big space) So you'll likely only spend an hour or so here.
For £7 you can also get a railroad train back to York Minster which is an adorable addition to help you get back to the city centre.
Written 11 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiredmama
17 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We spent a few hours here and enjoyed our time. Car Park was £10 all day which was OK given the entry was by donation/free. Spaces were limited and is not a proper car Park at the moment.
Welcome in quickly...it was busy but plenty of space for everyone. We purchased a book for our toddler which had activities and stickers in it for £5 which also contained a voucher for 10% off at the cafe and 10% at the shop which we used.
Lots of different engines to see and artifacts to explore. Shame some parts were still closed, definitely took less time than we were last here (pre COVID) but still enjoyable. Eldest enjoyed it more than our youngest but she loved the little play area.
Cafe was quite pricey and food was OK. We saw picnic benches dotted about so you can bring your own food in to eat. Staff were polite that we encountered.
Recommend for train enthusiasts and for those wanting something to do with the kids on a rainy day for low cost!
Welcome in quickly...it was busy but plenty of space for everyone. We purchased a book for our toddler which had activities and stickers in it for £5 which also contained a voucher for 10% off at the cafe and 10% at the shop which we used.
Lots of different engines to see and artifacts to explore. Shame some parts were still closed, definitely took less time than we were last here (pre COVID) but still enjoyable. Eldest enjoyed it more than our youngest but she loved the little play area.
Cafe was quite pricey and food was OK. We saw picnic benches dotted about so you can bring your own food in to eat. Staff were polite that we encountered.
Recommend for train enthusiasts and for those wanting something to do with the kids on a rainy day for low cost!
Written 31 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nobodytoknow
Glasgow, UK199 contributions
Jun 2024 • Solo
Slight sense of work in progress as of June 2024, with Station Hall closed for redevelopment and building work all around as part of the York Central development. Parking is still available at £10/day across the road from the Museum, seems a lot but you're withing walking distance of central York and the carpark is open until 18:30.
I found the Museum exhibits interesting and most of the rolling stock had explanatory panels. The signal training layout, demonstrated once a month, was a good explanation how manual signal boxes worked.
I was a slightly perplexed by selling tickets for the Flying Scotsman VR exhibition when the engine itself was on display. The volunteer guides I chatted to were all enthusiasts and happy to share their knowledge.
I didn't go in myself, however the Wonderlab seems aimed at children who maybe have limited patience in looking at steam engines. That said, there's also a Eurostar engine, Intercity 125 and the Japanese Shinkansen train which still looked quite modern for a 1960s train.
Large café which needless to say is quite pricey.
I visited early on a Friday in term-time, so wasn't packed out. I imagine it can be a bit frenetic at weekends.
I found the Museum exhibits interesting and most of the rolling stock had explanatory panels. The signal training layout, demonstrated once a month, was a good explanation how manual signal boxes worked.
I was a slightly perplexed by selling tickets for the Flying Scotsman VR exhibition when the engine itself was on display. The volunteer guides I chatted to were all enthusiasts and happy to share their knowledge.
I didn't go in myself, however the Wonderlab seems aimed at children who maybe have limited patience in looking at steam engines. That said, there's also a Eurostar engine, Intercity 125 and the Japanese Shinkansen train which still looked quite modern for a 1960s train.
Large café which needless to say is quite pricey.
I visited early on a Friday in term-time, so wasn't packed out. I imagine it can be a bit frenetic at weekends.
Written 14 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen S
Bonnybridge, UK46 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Very interesting and that's coming from someone who isn't particularly interested i trains. There are so many engines here, and they are all very well preserved. Even Stephenson's Rocket is here. Entry is free but we paid £7 extra each for the Flying Scotsman Virtual Reality Experience which was really interesting, though I would suggest the staff think about incorporating the smells and heat of steam, and gusts of air into the experience, like they have done at the Jorvik Viking Experience in York. That would make it even more realistic. There are numerous places to eat too, though we didn't do this as some things seemed a little expensive. The visit was very educational and took about a couple of hours which included the 10-15 minutes of the VR experience, though you don't have to do this. There were a few guided talks at various times and places in the museum, though you'd need to ask about these at the desk on arrival as there are no notices to advertise times, so as a result we missed one that we would have found interesting.
There are currently a few road works on the way to the museum, and we walked as it is a pretty flat walk, even so we had to sometimes figure out where the pavement went. It only took about 15 minutes to walk there from York Museum Gardens.
There are currently a few road works on the way to the museum, and we walked as it is a pretty flat walk, even so we had to sometimes figure out where the pavement went. It only took about 15 minutes to walk there from York Museum Gardens.
Written 19 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John W
14 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
We are not train spotters, but we had a great time and strongly recommend visiting this museum. We spent 3 hours there in total. And if they had finished some of it's planned expansions, we know would have stayed even longer.
I don't know were to start, it was such fun. Even if trains are not your thing, you WILL enjoy this.
For example, I had just taken a photo of one particular train, spotted the model railway exhibit near it and said let's go in. Then I spotted a model of that train moving along the track! My excitement (remember, I'm not a train spotter) made my partner laugh, and she even nodded toward another visitor who was trying to supress her giggles. I was told later that I was as excited as the five year old with that women.
I took lots and lots of pictures of many of the exhibits, and some were of really old trains, so read the notes next to each exhibit, as a few from 100 years ago look very aerodynamic and beautiful for trains that old. Try to catch the explanation of how a steam train's engine works as we missed the start. I was tempted to ask for the speaker to start again to fill in the gap, but my lady said don't you dare. I still wonder if the speaker would have started again.
Yes, I'd go back to this museum, and pay more attention to the announcement of when that talk started.
It's free entry, and yes, we made a donation and are glad to support them.
The only thing we missed was that the Flying Scotsman was away on a tour. But if you see the 100 years, 100 voices part of that exhibition, stop and listen. It is very good.
I don't know were to start, it was such fun. Even if trains are not your thing, you WILL enjoy this.
For example, I had just taken a photo of one particular train, spotted the model railway exhibit near it and said let's go in. Then I spotted a model of that train moving along the track! My excitement (remember, I'm not a train spotter) made my partner laugh, and she even nodded toward another visitor who was trying to supress her giggles. I was told later that I was as excited as the five year old with that women.
I took lots and lots of pictures of many of the exhibits, and some were of really old trains, so read the notes next to each exhibit, as a few from 100 years ago look very aerodynamic and beautiful for trains that old. Try to catch the explanation of how a steam train's engine works as we missed the start. I was tempted to ask for the speaker to start again to fill in the gap, but my lady said don't you dare. I still wonder if the speaker would have started again.
Yes, I'd go back to this museum, and pay more attention to the announcement of when that talk started.
It's free entry, and yes, we made a donation and are glad to support them.
The only thing we missed was that the Flying Scotsman was away on a tour. But if you see the 100 years, 100 voices part of that exhibition, stop and listen. It is very good.
Written 24 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric S
84 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Firstly we were never informed that one exhibitiin Hall is closed whish was disappointing. The museum is half the size it should be but the same admission price.
Secondly the Flying Scotsman VR experience is good but not worth the £7 extra for a few minutes. And Why just Why has the VR made Sir Nigel Gresley a black guy when he was born in Edinburgh and as white as a mothers pride loaf. Absolute nonsense
Secondly the Flying Scotsman VR experience is good but not worth the £7 extra for a few minutes. And Why just Why has the VR made Sir Nigel Gresley a black guy when he was born in Edinburgh and as white as a mothers pride loaf. Absolute nonsense
Written 2 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian E
Peterborough, UK86 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
My only complaint here was that we found ourselves navigating some extensive road-works on foot to get to the venue. No reflection on the museum of course, but just a shame that our access was via a noisy, dusty construction site. In hindsight, we could have avoided some of this, but the signage for the museum seemed to direct us through the middle (sigh 😙).
It seems the Railway Museum has recently relocated to a new premises - I assume, much larger than the previous one. We followed the directions on Google Maps to Leeman Road, where we came across an old building that had 'Railway Museum' painted on it in several places (in the middle of the road construction work area), but it was all closed and locked, even though Google said it was open. We quickly realised that this was in fact an old premises, and pressing on we duly arrived at the new location.
When we did finally get there however, admission to the attraction was free (Viking centre, take note!) and the evidence was abundant that plenty of people were making voluntary donations. This attraction is run by volunteers, and an amazing job they seem to be doing.
As an aside, on our next visit to York we may try again to book access to the Viking Centre. If we do, I'll make a point of comparing the 'Value for Money' between the two and update my Viking Centre review.
Anyway, once in the main hall (which had easy access for disabled visitors), there were dozens of vintage engines and carriages on display. I regret not taking photos while we were there, but we plan to visit again in the not too distant future, so we can fix that particular oversight next time.
Having said that, there must be about forty - possibly more vintage engines and other items on display - all with a placard to explain what it was. All of the items on display had been cleaned and mostly all renovated to a high standard, although a few items (one wooden carriage in particular) were clearly too old and weathered to withstand much cleaning, and most of the bigger engines were set out (on rails) in a large circle in the centre of the main hall. To the back of the main hall there was also a full size 'cutaway' engine that clearly shows the inner workings of the machine, along with notices explaining the piece.
How on earth they managed to move all of these exhibits from the old premises to the new one, is a mystery to me - I would have loved to have seen it.
But that aside, this place is a must for anyone interested in this type of engineering. There are regular
demonstrations of interesting features, and plenty of volunteers on hand to explain or advise about anything that visitors may be unclear about.
There are also a number of 'side' attractions that can be accessed for a small subscription (around a fiver I think), but for me, the main hall and the upper level were enough.
In my humble opinion, one of the best attractions anywhere, and well worth a visit.
It seems the Railway Museum has recently relocated to a new premises - I assume, much larger than the previous one. We followed the directions on Google Maps to Leeman Road, where we came across an old building that had 'Railway Museum' painted on it in several places (in the middle of the road construction work area), but it was all closed and locked, even though Google said it was open. We quickly realised that this was in fact an old premises, and pressing on we duly arrived at the new location.
When we did finally get there however, admission to the attraction was free (Viking centre, take note!) and the evidence was abundant that plenty of people were making voluntary donations. This attraction is run by volunteers, and an amazing job they seem to be doing.
As an aside, on our next visit to York we may try again to book access to the Viking Centre. If we do, I'll make a point of comparing the 'Value for Money' between the two and update my Viking Centre review.
Anyway, once in the main hall (which had easy access for disabled visitors), there were dozens of vintage engines and carriages on display. I regret not taking photos while we were there, but we plan to visit again in the not too distant future, so we can fix that particular oversight next time.
Having said that, there must be about forty - possibly more vintage engines and other items on display - all with a placard to explain what it was. All of the items on display had been cleaned and mostly all renovated to a high standard, although a few items (one wooden carriage in particular) were clearly too old and weathered to withstand much cleaning, and most of the bigger engines were set out (on rails) in a large circle in the centre of the main hall. To the back of the main hall there was also a full size 'cutaway' engine that clearly shows the inner workings of the machine, along with notices explaining the piece.
How on earth they managed to move all of these exhibits from the old premises to the new one, is a mystery to me - I would have loved to have seen it.
But that aside, this place is a must for anyone interested in this type of engineering. There are regular
demonstrations of interesting features, and plenty of volunteers on hand to explain or advise about anything that visitors may be unclear about.
There are also a number of 'side' attractions that can be accessed for a small subscription (around a fiver I think), but for me, the main hall and the upper level were enough.
In my humble opinion, one of the best attractions anywhere, and well worth a visit.
Written 21 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, i think its only guide dogs but best to check website thanks
Written 7 July 2022
What kind of products are available at the museum shop?
And, do you sell catalogs that are not biased toward a specific vehicle and have abundant pages and abundant photographs and sentences?
Written 19 September 2020
Do you have to book in advance or can you queue on the day?
How close to York station is the museum and are there any unpleasant hills for cyclists?
Written 6 July 2020
Have to book on line and you get a 30 minute window to get in before you loose your slot. Went last week
Written 16 August 2020
Hi all.Are they open new years day.Their website doesnt say they aren't
Thanks
Simon
Written 30 December 2019
Hi, I would suggest they are open as they state closed dates are only December 24-26 and they are open on bank holidays. You could always call to confirm 03330 161 010
Written 30 December 2019
The museum has its own car park, but it costs £10, whether you stay an hour or all day! In effect it’s your entrance ticket. You pay once inside the museum and get given a four digit code to enter at the barrier on exiting. I think disabled parking is elsewhere and free.
Written 15 September 2020
Hi, Support dogs are allowed but not pets
Written 24 September 2019
Hi,I am not sure if dogs are allowed,give the Mueum a call or e-mail them to ask,if you go i know you willhave a great time.Regards Pete.
Written 13 June 2019
When does the flying Scotsmen leave York railway museumķ
Written 29 April 2019
It was due to leave York on the 5th May travelling to Paddington.
Written 11 May 2019
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